Earlier this week, I shared the origins of the American Thanksgiving celebration with my dear “little sister” Zoe in China,

Here is her reply:

In this week of Thanksgiving, I want to give thanks in all circumstances.

There is always plenty to give thanks for, even if we sometimes have to search harder for it.

Father, thank you for a wonderful week spent with my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, and four of my nephews.

Thank you for the blessing it is to be a wife and a mother.

Thank you for the freedom to worship that I enjoy here in America.

Thank you for our financial blessings – for plenty of good food and warm clothing and homes larger than we need.

Thank you for the beauty of sunrise and the sunset and the big blue sky. Thank you for your majesty revealed from the heavens, that mankind would seek you and find you.

Thank you for the sisterhood of believers, both near and far.

And then … right at this moment, just as we’re driving back home across the great plains of the Midwest … just as I’m midway through composing this blog post … just when I’m chatting online with my little Chinese sister, encouraging her to walk by faith …

I received this heart-breaking message:

Is God real?

Does God work in time and space to draw men to Himself?

Does God use His children here on earth to share the good news of eternal life through faith in Christ?

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Stay tuned — there’s more to this story.

Heart-check: Where are you struggling to give thanks? How can I pray for you?